Spreading Smiles & Good Vibes: My Volunteering Journey with Team Nila

I first met a Team Nila volunteer when I deployed for Temasek’s Mask Distribution. She was so cheerful and energetic on answering questions and handing out masks. That same day, I signed up to volunteer with Team Nila. Yes! I want that vibe too! Wink-wink! 

Spreading Smiles & Good Vibes: My Volunteering Journey with Team Nila

My first assignment with Team Nila was at Hougang Swimming Complex. What did I do? I answered questions from the public and counted the visitors at the pool that day. Sound boring? Not at all! I had a great time chatting with the aunties and uncles there. I asked about their lives, why they chose to swim instead of taking a walk in the park, and how often they visit the complex. One aunty even invited me for coffee. Haha! It was so much fun connecting with them! I loved that moment and will never forget it!

After that, I took on different roles at different events. I have so much fun that I always have new stories to share with my husband when I get home after volunteering.

Team Nila - 2024 Appreciation Day

Then one day, Team Nila sent us a survey. While answering the questions, I felt a sense of comfort and peace of mind. My main reason for volunteering was to spend my spare time doing good, but I didn't realize how much it helped me mentally and emotionally. Volunteering is not just a pastime for me; it's a way for me to make friends and see life from others' perspectives. It's a way for me to grow as a person.

I always tell my friends that I'm at a point in my life where I'm saving "goodness points," and volunteering is my way of saving more! Whether it's brightening someone's day, putting a smile on their face, or simply making a new friend, every moment spent with Team Nila adds value to my life.

Thank you, Team Nila. You're not just helping the community; you're also helping your volunteers! Yo! Nila!

Team Nila - 2024 Bronze Awardee 

Community for Data Career Shifters

I needed a network. A network that can understand me.

Who can understand a woman at the age of 40 who will suddenly pivot to an unknown world of data? There are many questions lingering in my head. Is this a wise decision? Will it bring joy and excitement to my career? Will it sustain me financially? But before I can answer those questions for myself I realised that attending courses will not suffice for me to be a Data Analyst. I needed someone to teach me and make me comfortable in every step that I need to take. With that, I looked for a community that has this culture who believes to the capacity of a late career shifter like me. Then, I found SHE LOVES DATA.

2021 I was assigned to be on a group under Singapore Chapter but Richa, Head of Global Operations, reached out and let me to be a part of her team. Inch by inch with guidance from Venetia and trust of Richa I am now managing some of She Loves Data Signature Program. I can know first hand the dates of trainings I can attend and somewhat a free brain picking from top notch instructors of She Loves Data.

SHE LOVES DATA SINGAPORE BASED VOLUNTEERS

Last Thursday (11 August 2022), it is a big in-person event for She Loves Data! The very first Singapore event for 2022. The vibe is wonderful! Quinn and Aimee removed my doubts and gave comfort to alleviate my anxiety. Ohhh.. I want to cry now. They have told me stuffs that makes me think and push away the imposter syndrome out of my head.

The event is CELEBRATE YOU and it clearly stands on its name. I know and I feel that every woman and man in that room have picked some nuggets of wisdom from each other. That we all felt the warmth of community and someone is behind our back to achieve not only our data career goals but also developing ourselves for betterment.

Thank you Jana for building this kind of network.. a network of women that can understand what a career shifter like me is going through. A camaraderie indeed! 
Thank you for the free workshops that enhances and challenges our skills. Thank you so much.

With all that, I can say that I am confident to join the data workforce and let’s crunch those data! *wink-wink*

May ALMIGHTY always bless SHE LOVES DATA and all the volunteers behind it! Onward Sisters!

How LIVELY & EASY to be a VOLUNTEER in SINGAPORE

26 years ago my mom and her church group organized to visit and hold a short program for the elederly at Golden Acres (Home For The Aged). That experience is still fresh on my mind. How happy the seniors when we brought food and supplies for them. I heard some of their stories how they end up in the facility it is heartbreaking.

When I joined Lingap-Kapatid Group on my college days we went to far to reached places (that actually needs a boat) to facilitate medical missions.

It is pretty elusive in Philippines to search for groups that I can volunteer my time that is why I am so delighted to know that volunteering community here in Singapore is lively and accessible. 

1. Abbey is fond of plants that is why volunteering with ComCrop in collaboration wits Starbucks. We were tasked to build a plot, plant seeds and transferring some seedlings.

2. Mother-in-law is fighting a Stage 4 cancer that time and to say “thank you” to organisations helping her in California Abbey pledged himself to join a “bald move” and we gathered monetary donations from friends and colleagues for Children’s Cancer Foundation.

3. Singapore is a clean and green country and it curious me when Guardians of Mother Earth organized a cleanup drive on the sands of Pasir Ris Beach. Learned that many plastic and styrofoam granules were there waiting for us to be picked up. That day, the group collected 300kgs of trash.

How LIVELY & EASY to be a VOLUNTEER in SINGAPORE_Guardians of Mother Earth

4. There are no small or big events and it is very understandable that organisations also looking for people to do behind the scenes. I volunteered to be a goodie bag packer with Singapore Children’s Society.

How LIVELY & EASY to be a VOLUNTEER in SINGAPORE_Singapore Childrens Society

5. SAFRA intitated Entrepreneur’s Marketplace for people to discover local/unique products by social enterprises here in Singapore. That day, we were stationed at registration and giving away goodie bags.

How LIVELY & EASY to be a VOLUNTEER in SINGAPORE_Safra Entrepreneurs Marketplace 

6. We know how powerful the blockchain technology and how it will disrupt some businesses and we volunteer in organization of events with NEM Foundation. 

7. Doctors Without Borders called for people to attend their Missing Maps Mapathon 2018 and gladly that I have participated this event as it open a new perspective for me how the other people live their lives. 

How LIVELY & EASY to be a VOLUNTEER in SINGAPORE_Doctors Without Borders

8. SGTech contacted us via Facebook to help them share on our DIY Travel Singapore group their programmes and workshops. It is not a tedious task because all we need to do is share it our Facebook Page and group. I went for extra mile by sending links through private messages to people that might be help their businesses.

9. From time to time, Abbey and I were invited by friends who were affiliated with  Philippine Embassy to advise Filipino helpers on how they will handle their finances. 

10. Kebun Bahru Community Club is rolling out vaccination for eldery people and we were grateful to be part of it. We were tasked to help the seniors with their vaccination registration and appointment.

11. 2021 I am starting to learn data analysis and I messaged one of my friends here in Singapore if I can render my service on their company Peak Resonance. 

12. Early March 2022 Omicron is spreading in Singapore and Temasek Foundation called for volunteers to help them on medical grade mask distribution.

How LIVELY & EASY to be a VOLUNTEER in SINGAPORE_Temasek Foundation

13. Lately, I raised my hand to help gather the nomination details for #ConnectedWomen Singapore’s on the Most Influential Sinagporean Women on LinkedIn 2022.

14. I am active with She Loves Data. I am assigned member in Global Operations which facilitates the needs of different chapters and Signature Programs for their zoom meetings and webinars. 

15.From time to time we call ourselves a Blood Hero Volunteer. Yes, we already do blood donations with Red Cross Singapore. Give Blood Saves Lives ;) 

So what’s with us giving away our time and efforts for free? Well, we got the chance to meet and spend time with people that have a same interest like helping the needy, same values in taking care of environment and same wavelength to propagate knowledge about certain topics (e.g. blockchain/data). 

If you haven’t tried to volunteer, check-out volunteer.sg, the website already curated organization that are looking for volunteers. Go Volunteers! Spread love and be a channel of blessings!